Joel Parkinsons World Title and Pipe Masters Double

It's very rare for someone to win the ASP World Title before they've won any events but that's what happened to the ultra consistent Parko. Only Joel and reigning 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater were in contention for the world title heading into the final day. Parkinson needed to finish one position higher to claim the title which had eluded him for the past 12 years. With Slater's loss to Josh Kerr in the semi-final, Parkinson's dream became reality. Parkinson then went on to beat Kerr in the final.

"Consistency paid off," Parkinson said. "This is where I wanted to stand at the end of the year. This is what I've worked for my whole life. I can't describe what this feels like. I've had runner-ups and ups-and-downs. I've been to hell and back and it makes this so much sweeter. All the love from Hawaii and Australia and over the world, I can't thank you all enough for supporting me."

Parkinson has been the world title bridesmaid four times (2002, 2004, 2009, 2011). His Billabong Pipe Masters victory is his 11th elite event win over the course of his career, and by clinching the ASP World Title has established himself as one of the greatest surfers of all time.

"I missed Brazil because I had a cut in my heel and couldn't really turn," Slater said. "I figured I'd just rest up and get focused. Probably the one that hurt the worst was Teahupo'o. I made two or three mistakes in a row and Ricardo (dos Santos) got a 9.8 with seven seconds left. I had a bad string over the last few months. It kind of fell apart after France. Portugal was a tough one and Santa Cruz, I was just real wobbly.

"For whatever reason, the momentum went in Parko's direction. It was cool that it came down to this, it would have been cooler to have it come down to the Final. Joel's been on tour for 10 or 11 years now and been in the hunt ever since he started. He's an amazing surfer. He's just the guy that makes it look easy. He can pull whatever our when he needs to," said Slater.

Josh Kerr battled his way to a career first ASP WCT Final. The Australian suffered a heavy wipeout in his round four heat with Slater and Gabriel Medina (BRA), resulting in a brief trip to the hospital. After medical clearance, Kerr overcame the setback to take it all the way to the final.

"It's been a hectic day," Kerr said. "My first heat, I've been having nerve damage in my neck and my left side went numb when I fell. I had to get an x-ray and made it back for my next heat and made it through to the final. Congrats to Parko as well. I'll be back next year and hopefully one place better."